With the advancement of the top-seeded MAY Eagles, beating the DRS Wildcats 6-0 in the semifinals, and the YFR Tigers, upsetting the #2 seeded Netzach Knights in a double overtime win 3-2, the stage was set for an epic Championship Game. An incredible display of quality, rugged floor hockey, when the dust settled, the MAY Eagles were victorious, 2-0.
In front of a sellout crowd, the first eight minutes of the first period were a tremendous demonstration of tenacity, strength and coordination. Both teams with dozens of skilled shots on net, excellent ball movement and calculated passes. Both goalies – the Eagles’ Dovi Barnett and the Tigers’ Yosef Okun – locking down their goals to chants from both teams’ fanbases that their goalie “is a wall!”
However, with just over four minutes left in the first period, Captain Aryeh Wisnicki recovered a long rebound in the offensive zone and found defenseman Gabi Newman across court who slung a beautifully precise wrist shot from midcourt over the stick-side shoulder of Okun. MAY was up 1-0.
This would be the deciding goal of the game. Midway through the second period, star offenseman, Chaim Shapiro, would add on to the MAY tally an unassisted goal to make the final score, 2-0.
“This Championship was a really impressive game!” commented Commissioner, Mr. Zack Kessler, “Two great teams, great players, great camaraderie. A fitting ending to an incredible inaugural season.”
Mesivta Athletics, which administers the Mesivta Football League, the Mesivta Basketball Association and now, the Mesivta Hockey League, congratulates coaches Yehuda and Shua Behar and the MAY Eagles on their championship victory and thanks all the participating yeshivos – players, coaches, administrators, and fans – for making this season so successful.